The best brands for basics at every price point
Although people love wearing bright colors, elaborate patterns, and unique fabrics, building a wardrobe based on these pieces alone will inevitably lead to a fashion burnout. When it comes down to it, fashion experts agree that it's best to build a wardrobe based on quality basics.
From the perfect denim jeans and white t-shirts to the iconic little black dress, here are the best stores to get basics, at every price point.
H&M offers affordable basics.
From humble beginnings in Sweden, H&M has exploded over the past 71 years into an internationally-known brand and one-stop shop for basics in every style and color. A former employee told PopSugar that shoppers should buy basics at least a season ahead since the brand’s popularity means that crowd favorites go quick.
Primark is a beloved UK brand.
Popular British staple Primark currently has just a handful of locations outside the UK. But incredibly low prices for basics await those who can reach a store — even people who visit London return home to tell future visitors that they "should at least go check out" if they ever find themselves in town, according to TripAdvisor.
Target has all the essentials.
With over 1,800 stores nationwide and recent collaborations with high-end designers, department store Target is an excellent place to find all your basics in one location. Writer and fashion expert Nicole Akhtarzad at Who What Wear pointed out that its jeans, light layers, and shoes are particularly in style.
ASOS has variety.
With thousands of brands and independent sellers to choose from, it takes only a few clicks to find inexpensive basics in ASOS’s colossal online marketplace.
UNIQLO offers quality basics.
Japanese brand UNIQLO arrived in the US just over a decade ago, but the retailer has already amassed a cult following amongst those seeking stylish and affordable basics. In a series of interviews exploring why people fall so deeply in love with UNIQLO’s clothes, retail expert Jane Singer told the Robin Report that it was most popular for its fit, its versatility, and its inexpensive prices.
MUJI has more than just office supplies.
Open since 1980, Japanese brand MUJI prides itself on minimalistic, well-designed products including clothing, stationery, and home goods.
Although the brand is mainly known and loved for its simple but satisfying office supplies, fashion writer Arianna Rebolini told Racked that shoppers shouldn't neglect the store’s clothing line; she became an advocate for the brand after buying two simple pairs of socks that changed the way she saw clothing.
Zara is a go-to for fashion-forward people.
Although many of its products are sold at a slightly higher price point, basics at Zara tend to be relatively low-cost; fashion writer Michelle Scanga at Who What Wear recommends the brand's skinny jeans, in particular.
Madewell focuses on quality.
Known for their its simple, high-quality jeans, Madewell is a go-to for quality clothes. Steff Yotka, a reporter for Vogue Runway, reflected fondly on the brand’s successful modernization of wardrobe essentials after their the brand's Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear show: "Madewell’s Joyce Lee has turned the remaking and rethinking of basics into a delightful experiment."
Everlane's entire line is full of wardrobe staples.
Everlane was founded on the principle of ethically-made essentials and pricing transparency, in an effort to ascertain that buyers get exactly what they pay for. Gregory Babcock at Complex praised the brand for staying true to quality and transparency while still producing the hundreds of different products that make fast-fashion companies "an excellent choice when you need something that looks good in a pinch."
American Apparel has plenty of options.
Following a brief hiatus, American Apparel returned in 2017 as an online-only retailer to get back to the basics it's widely known for.
In a post-comeback conversation with the brand, Digiday revealed that the brand returned to the marketplace to focus on the essential pieces that originally made it successful.
Frank and Oak is a fan favorite.
Montreal-based Frank and Oak also offer a clothing subscription service through which customers can receive a personalized box of clothes each month based on their own preferences including color, style, and fit. INSIDER Picks' own Amir Ismael tried the service in its early stages in 2018 — and said he loved every single thing he received.
Lou & Grey offers cozy basics.
Soft garments are Lou & Grey’s specialty, the brand’s bright colors and luxurious fabrics turning its basics into anything but. The brand strives to appeal to both younger and older generations of shoppers, capitalizing on the "millennial loungewear" trend while also serving up solid essentials like affordable denim.
COS has structured basics.
Along with hundreds of beautifully-made basics, COS also publishes an online magazine filled with seasonal inspiration for lifestyle and apparel. Vogue dubbed a worldwide love for the brand "the COS Effect," praising its designs for being affordable while also being extremely high-quality, "grown-up," modern, and well-designed.
A.P.C. sells high-end basics.
Dubbed by the New Yorker as being anti-basic but pro-minimalist, A.P.C. sells high-end designs that, if nothing else, pay attention to the finer details found even in simplicity. French retailer regularly collaborates with designers and posts lookbooks filled with inspiration for the fashion-forward.
Need Supply Co. knows a thing or two about basics.
Richmond, Virginia-based boutique Need Supply Co. first opened as a vintage retailer but has since expanded to include clothing and accessories from both independent designers and well-known brands. Not only is it praised by its hometown for turning basics into a more complex and detailed art, but, as Racked pointed out, it also carries international brands that the fashion world has since fallen in love with.
Creatures of Comfort prioritizes "ease over fuss."
Founded in 2005, Creatures of Comfort’s designs chase after a lifestyle that is "simple and stylish" and which prioritizes "ease over fuss." Designer Jade Lai, reveled for her subtle twists on basics by Women's Wear Daily, creates garments and accessories loved by the industry’s best, her pieces becoming essentials for editors on-the-go.
Acne Studios is expensive but arguably worth the money.
Acne Studios has perfected the art of styling simply, modern pieces into more eclectic looks. For Esquire magazine, David Yi praised the brand even for its most basic t-shirt, the quality and fit of which he feels makes it worth spending over $50 to buy.
Theory is the go-to for professionals.
Using high-quality fabrics to bring out the best in their clean-cut designs, Theory tailors the perfect pieces for the modern young professional.
Recently, the brand underwent a revamp, working with young employees to dream up its next moves and improve the luxury basics that the world had already come to know and love, reported InStyle magazine.
Maison Margiela is a modern designer specializing in updated basics.
While many modern high-fashion houses lean heavily on the side of maximalism, Maison Margiela designs for those who love both unique and simple cuts. Women's Wear Daily wrote that designer John Galliano’s recent runway show proved "he had his way with the familiar, stripping away structure, recombining pieces and adding offbeat decoration until basic became anything but."
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